Just about everyone has one teacher who was a big influence in their life.Here’s a place where you can tell us who your favorite teacher was in High School. We did this on the Class of 1967 website and had quite a few responses already. Check it out: My Favorite Teacher.
Thanks to Gwen (Solmer) Richardson for being the first to post her favorite teachers.
Ah, what a challenge. Actually, I had quite a few favorite teachers. What would be more "interesting" to me would be who was not my favorite teacher. Of course, that would probably open us up to all kinds of libel and slander and be just plain downright rude. After all, it's been more than 40 years and by now bygones should definitely be "gones". When I read your question, three teachers came to mind immediately. The first was the immortal Dan O'Grady, and I hope he really is immortal because I would love to see him again. Thanks to the powers that be, I was never able to have Mr. O'Grady as a teacher during the regular school year. So I signed up for a summer school class he taught (probably at the end of my Junior year) and was entertained beyond all reason by this incredible man/teacher. I don't really have anything to "remember" specifically, but he had us all in stitches when he complained about the "O'Grady blight"... basically, if he liked something, it either went out of business, wasn't available anymore... you know.
We don't have enough Irish people in Colorado. Could you send us some? One of my very most favorite teachers was Patrick Cahill who I had in 6th grade at Hayestown. We had the "Mother of all classes" with some of the most incredible people in it, like Al Washicko, Peter Rogol, Michael Sachs, Ilga Jansons, Alison Stone, Debbie Rial and Sarah Judd. Of course the rest of us were special too, but the above named kids never failed to dazzle the rest of us with their special talents. A class full of great students. A teacher's dream. The loss of Patrick Cahill to a terrible auto accident has to be one of the greatest tragedies I know of... what a wonderful, compassionate man. What a shame.
I do need to mention one other teacher who wowed me with her talents as a teacher and inspired me with her sophistication at a time when I doubt I could have even spelled the word... Nora Delano. I had "Mrs. Delano" for 8th grade at Mill Ridge and to my surprise, she did eventually teach at the High School. She was an incredible English teacher and an amazing person. She inspired me to read and encouraged me to improve my writing skills. She introduced me to some fine literature and challenged me to think.
I think I will take this opportunity to give credit to a number of other teachers of whom I have fond memories and I promise not to mention the ones who didn't have much use for me. I never could figure out what "their" problem was because I was always fairly obnoxious... did I say that? and people liked me or didn't like me and I still can't figure out why. If you didn't like me, please don't say so, because at this stage of my life I am basically too old to care. If I offended you in some way, please accept my apology. I'll save it for the Message Board. Good night and God bless all of you.
Yours, Gwen (Solmer) Richardson
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